Chapter 3

Dark packed up her things, taking what she would need such as the potions that she made with guidance and blessings from the Spirit-Seers, as well as her bow and sword. Both of which she held fond memories for, having both made them herself under the traditional coming of age ceremonies held by her family and the local crafters. Lastly, she found her midnight black traveling cloak with an intricately crafted silver fastener at the top that depicted the symbol of Guthix. She has always worshipped Seren, the deity of her ancestors, and it was an interesting story as to how she obtained the cloak.

~Flashback~
She was the age of 11, and had known the secrets of runecrafting since before she was half that age. One day, her caravan was camped near the pass, and a rare human was wandering by. No, that's not right. He wasn't wandering. Rather, traveling; journeying. He was at about the age of 70, with a long white beard; though Dark had the impression that he was much, much older. He was dressed in the robes of the Dagon'Hai, most unusual. It was surprising the archers had not shot him down on sight by now. How dare he wander into the pure forest of Isafdar, and broadcast his loyalty of the chaotic and idiotic god Zamorak! Dark was enraged at the though. But, the archers were not at their posts. No one was disturbed by this site; it seemed that no one even noticed his presence. She asked Aeron , and he replied, "The Elders feel a purity about him. What he wears is merely a guise, and what lies below cannot possibly be concealed to our people. His aura is too bright. Can you not see it? Dark, remember your words," he said, in a slightly mocking tone. "You should get in the habit now, because if you wait too long, you will always have to rely on them, and it will become harder and harder to access the magick that it takes to throw them."

Dark whispered a few select words of the ancient language (having to be creative, as she had not yet learned very much of it; even the oldest elders did not know the whole language), and what shone from the stranger nearly blinded me! His purity was too bright. She, being curious, walked to where he was. "Stranger, why do you walk in the forest, avoiding the traps as you do, and wearing what you do?" To that, he chuckled, and the Dark could've sworn right then and there to Seren Herself the very trees danced to his laughter.

"Child, sit with me, and talk. It is a peaceful time, but it won't be for long. Still, let us enjoy it for while it lasts." He then proceeded to pull out various objects from the deep pockets of his robes, until he had laid out a tinderbox, and a few strips of salted cod. "Quickly! Look over there! Why, that's a Saradomin owl! How in Runescape do you think it got here?" the stranger suddenly yelled, with wide eyes.

Outraged as to why such a creature would dare even fly within the boundaries of Isafdar (elves tend to be very touchy about religious matters), Dark had her bow already out and an arrow strung. But no such bird was in sight!

When she turned back, a fire was roaring, and the cod were interestingly floating above the fire. This stranger was indeed very unusual. "Now child, listen to me, and listen to me very carefully. There will be a time of war, soon. And you must survive. You will be the future of your people, and those who dwell outside of Tirranwn. Do not go outside the boundaries of Tirranwn, and the pass, not until the flash of the green dawn against Seren's palace. Child, what do you know of the ancient language?"

Still confused, Dark replied, "I know enough to use my cleverness to get what is needed done, but still not as much as needed altogether. Elder, I will continue with my studies tenfold if needed."

"See to it that you do. Your life and others might very well depend on your knowledge of those words. You have a future that lies outside of the elves, Dark. Do you understand?"

Again, she said, "Yes."

"You will not understand yet what I am talking about. You will not understand until the war. Not even why I am wearing what I am wearing (and by the way, I mean no offence to you or your people). As I said, continue with your studies, and remember: what you learn now may save lives later." With that, he leaned back and told me great tales of giants, and gods, and heroes. Stories that Dark had never heard before, and that she knew the Elders did not even know. With that stranger, Dark remembered a certain peace that surrounded their little camp. There were no animal calls that she had become accustomed to in my years of roaming the woods. Perhaps they had all stopped, to listen to the wise stranger's words.

It seemed as if she had been there only listening, for several days when the stranger suddenly turned his head up. She came out of a sort of daze, then. Dark looked at the fire, wondering why it hadn't yet burned down or why the cod hadn't been burnt. The old man opened his mouth and looking into her eyes said, "Child, it is my time to go. I have not been to Tirranwn in what has felt like many centuries, and it brought joy to my heart to encounter a youth as curious and patient as to listen to a crotchety old man's stories. For that, I thank you. But unfortunately I have to go. So farewell, and let me part you with this knowledge: when you need a weapon, go to the roots of a whistling tree in the lands of the north, and when all seems lost and your power insufficient, go to the prison that is guarded by a fierce serpent, and speak the holy words to open the gate of the Gods."

Shut your eyes, I am going to take the cod off. Boiling juices somehow find their way to the most sensitive places."

Dark shut her eyes, and when she opened them, she was not the least bit surprised to find him gone. It was then too, that Dark realized not once had she told him her name, yet he somehow knew it. In the stranger's place lay a black traveling cloak, and Dark knew then that she had been visited by the very creator of our forest, Guthix. She had been blessed by the wisest and most powerful of the gods. Dark felt a new power, and put the robes on. A new magick, an ancient magick, rippled through the cloth. She didn't know what their use was yet, but in time...

~Flashback Ended~